I just bought a Weatherby rifle from a classified ad in my home town. It is a Mark V of some sort, very light rifle. I thought it might be an ultralight, but it has black plastic stock, not a Medalist. Anybody know how I can tell what model it is? Can i tell by the serial number? It starts with a WB. Nov 23, 2013  Your rifle is a Weatherby Mark V, made by J.P. Sauer in West Germany in 1963. They made rifles for Weatherby from 1960 to 1972, when the production moved to Japan. In 1964, Weatherby received their patent for the Mark V action, and the letter 'P' was added to the serial. Approximate serial number ranges for the Japanese made Mark V Rifles NOTE: These serial numbers are very approximate, and cover the period 1972 through 1992, which is the year the book “Weatherby - The Man, The Gun, The Legend” was written by Gresham & Gresham. The data in the table below was derived from data contained in that book.

1. Weatherby Mark V Serial Number Lookup 1233372
2. Weatherby Serial Number Information
3. Weatherby Mark V Serial Number Lookup Search

SOLD FOR:$1,884.00
LSB#: 151029RM28

Make: Weatherby U.S.A.

Model: MARK V Dangerous Game Rifle

Serial Number: PB003977

Year of Manufacture: 2004 or later (http://www.weatherby.com/support/authenticate-history.html)

Weatherby Mark V Serial Number Lookup 1233372

Caliber: .460 Weatherby Magnum

Action Type: 9-Lug Bolt-Action, Internal Magazine Fed Rifle with Hinged Floorplate

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “USE ONLY / 460 WBY. MAG.”, the left side of the receiver is marked “MARK V / Weatherby / ATASCADERO, CA / MADE IN U.S.A.”, the right is marked with the serial number. The compensator is marked “460”. The underside of the bolt handle is marked “3977”. The recoil pad is marked “DECELERATOR”. The underside of the trigger guard is marked with a scripted “W”, which is gold-colored.

Barrel Length: 24”; the overall length of the barrel, including the compensator is 26 ½”. The compensator has 30 staggered ports.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade that is on a base, dovetailed onto a long ramp-base that is integral to a slotted barrel band which is equipped with a sight hood. The rear sight is a “V” notched ‘Express’-style leaf, in a base that is screw-adjustable for elevation; the rear of the blade has a vertical line for sight alignment; the base is screw-secured to the barrel. The receiver has four drilled, tapped and screw-filled holes for the addition of a scope base (not included).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The black composite stock has a pebbled texture and features a pistol grip, Monte Carlo comb and a QD swivel stud installed into the belly; the forward swivel is integral to a barrel-mounted band. The stock shows a few infrequent scattered light marks and scuffs; there is a notable cluster of scuffs on the left, just above the trigger guard. The LOP measures 13 ½” from the front of the trigger to the back of the black solid-rubber Decelerator recoil pad; the pad is set with a black spacer and only shows light scuffs, rating in Excellent condition. The stock rates in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Matte Black Oxide, with a polished bolt body and magazine follower.

Finish Originality: All Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows a few infrequent shallow marks and faint scuffs on the barrel, trigger guard and receiver. The front sight hood’s checkered fore area has a spot of thinning on top as photographed. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.

Weatherby Serial Number Information

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The adjustable trigger currently has a crisp no take-up break at 3lbs 15oz, the 9-lug bolt has a thumb safety and the trigger guard plate houses a hinged floorplate. The bolt cycles smooth and locks up tight. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Weatherby Mark V Serial Number Lookup Search

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: This is a U.S. made Weatherby Mark V Dangerous Game rifle chambered in .460 Weatherby Magnum, which is perfect for taking large, ferocious or otherwise far-away game animals that one would not want to encounter with anything less than what this round has to offer; from Wikipedia “The .460 Weatherby Magnum cartridge is very accurate despite its size. Weatherby guarantees a 1.5 MOA (44mm/100m) accuracy for this cartridge in a Weatherby rifle.[12] Typically a full-metal-jacketed or monolithic solid type bullet will penetrate more than 40 in (1.0 m) when impacting a dangerous game animal such as the Cape Buffalo or African Elephant. The .460 Weatherby Magnum has few peers for stopping dangerous African game.” The rifle and its composite stock show only a few shallow marks and scuffs, the bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion and the action is superb. This rifle looks to have been shot infrequently and was well taken care of in the interim. The express iron sights align swiftly and the receiver has drilled, tapped and screw-filled holes for the addition of a scope base (not included). This is a superb hunting rifle that one would be hard pressed to one-up. Please see our pictures and good luck.